Four thousand years ago, in the Magnesia area of Northern Greece, a shepherd by the name of Magnes, is said to have stood upon a black rock, and been unable to separate the metal tip of his staff, or the nails in his shoes from it. The rock was subsequently named magnetite, and the polarity pointing devices we know today, became “magnets”. However the first “real” magnet, was Earth itself, having a North and South pole, and being surrounded by a magnetic field. The Earth’s magnetic field is affected by things such as the passage of the Moon, and bombardment by solar storms, so that the magnetic North and South poles do not always match the geographic ones.

It was inevitable, that sooner or later Man would attempt to harness the power of magnets for various uses, including “medical” ones. As far back as 2000B.C. magnetic stones are mentioned in the oldest medical text ever found, the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. Aristotle would write about their healing properties in the third century B.C. And on it would go, through 1777 when the French Royal Society of Medicine became the first academy to study the magnetic treatment of illnesses. Du Bois Raymond, having proven the body produces electrical impulses, started a revolution in medical investigation of the use of magnets.

Proponents of magnetic therapy for human and animal illness or pain, are quick to point out that all life exists in, and responds to, the magnetic forces of Earth. Their practice of magnetic therapy is not a treatment they have created out of thin air, but is simply utilising the magnetic properties of the body, to help it heal itself. The fact that we now live in an environment where microwaves, electrical wires, computers and other forces also apply magnetic force in our daily lives, is cited as one cause for the disturbance of the body’s own natural magnetic balance.

In theory, magnets are said to increase the blood flow in capillaries, flushing out lactic acid and other inflammatory substances from tissues, thereby relieving pain and inflammation. Increased blood flow results in more oxygen being carried to muscles that may be cramped or experiencing spasms for lack of it. Besides the development of such tools as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which has replaced x-ray; and magnetoencephalography to record brain activity, basic magnets are being touted as the way to treat a variety of illnesses, plus bring pain relief without drugs.

Numerous medical researchers who have flocked to the discipline, work on the premise that the human body is governed by varying ionic currents, and natural magnetic fields. The Earth’s negative field at night, induces sleep, healing, and reduction of inflammation among other benefits. The Sun’s positive magnetic influences during the day, are exactly the opposite, causing stress, pain, cramps, and an assortment of other illnesses, particularly when paired with the man-made magnetic fields of modern technology. Their goal therefore, is to adjust the body’s magnetic fields, by the generation of magnetic force, or the placement of magnets on the body, in order to create a negative force field. The benefits of this negative force, are claimed to relieve everything from stress, arthritis, sleeplessness, viral infection and cancers, to dozens of other common and rare disorders or sydromes.

While there are many testimonials to relief from illness and pain, to date there is no solid, scientific evidence, that the use of magnets results in any physical benefits. The FDA has yet to approve magnetic therapy as a healing method or practice.

What anyone seeking an alternative to traditional medicines needs to ask themselves, is whether they want to tamper with the natural flux and balance of the magnetic field in their bodies, and if so, how can they be sure that the results will be beneficial. Despite the ambivalence of the medical profession towards the practice as a whole, it warns pregnant women, and those with pacemakers or defibrillating regulators to avoid contact with magnets, which pose definite threats.